Knapp And Gillham Step Down from Respective Arts Positions for Move

After more than 20 years, RTP’s Artistic Director John Knapp is stepping down.

Knapp’s time at RTP was noted for his directorial work on the world premiere of The First Step, the east coast premiere of Bite Me!, The New Century, Thrill Me, Howard Crabtree’s When Pigs Fly and Whoop Dee Doo!, Her Aching Heart, Kiss of The Spider Woman, Pete ‘n’ Keely, Pageant, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Ten Percent Revue, Key West, Hysterical Blindness... starring Leslie Jordan (“Will and Grace”, “Sordid Lives”),The Crumple Zone and I Never Knew Oz Was in Color starring Steve Moore.

Knapp also directed for Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation and On the Air Radio Players.

“While we are absolutely delighted for John and his new opportunity, we will miss his artistic leadership greatly,” said Philip Crosby, RTP’s Managing Director, in a press release sent out this morning. ”John has been an integral part of RTP since its inception, both onstage and off. As an actor, director, Board member, artistic director, set designer … if you have ever been to an RTP show, you have felt John’s touch.”

Knapp’s tenure at RTP ends with the final show of the 2013-14 season, Cabaret, when he and husband Tim Gillham (founder of the Richmond Men’s Chorus and Richmond Women’s Chorus) move to Baltimore, MD.

Gillham, who formed the Richmond Men’s Chorus ing 2001, will be leaving his position as well. From Boston, Philly, Chicago, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and many more, Gillham conducted over 50 concerts with the RMC.

“We are excited for Tim as he embarks on this new journey, and we respect the many years of leadership that he has offered to both the men’s and women’s choruses,” said Jennifer Thomas, MCM Board President in a statement.

Gillham went on to form the Richmond Women’s Chorus after a ”Sing for a Cure” event to spread breast cancer awareness and healing in a benefit for the Susan G. Kohmen Foundation.

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